Electricals
Electrical waste is one of the UK’s fastest-growing waste streams. From phones and laptops to kettles and toys, we upgrade or replace them more often than ever. But producing and disposing of these items uses huge amounts of energy, metals, plastics and rare materials - many of which can be reused or recycled.
Reducing how many electricals we throw away saves money, protects resources, and helps cut waste.
Reduce and reuse first
- Buy smarter – choose durable products, repairable designs, or refurbished tech instead of always buying new.
- Sell unwanted items – list them on sites like eBay, Vinted or Gumtree, or trade them in through retailer schemes.
- Repair instead of replacing – visit a local repair café or use free online guides to fix common problems.
- Donate in working order – pass on electricals through charity shops, community projects, or our Reuse Raynesway shop, where items are tested and sold on at affordable prices.
If reuse isn’t possible
When items can’t be reused:
- Small items such as kettles, toasters, hairdryers, toys: book a visit to Raynesway HWRC or use supermarket drop-off points.
- Large items such as TVs, fridges, freezers: book a visit to Raynesway HWRC or book a bulky waste collection.
Retailers take-back – many stores, such as Currys, accept old technology for recycling even if you didn’t buy from them, sometimes offering money off new purchases.
Find your nearest recycling point
Visit the Recycle Now website to search by postcode and find drop-off locations near you.
How electricals are recycled
Ever wondered how your electrical items are recycled? HypnoCat from Recycle Your Electricals shows you how it's done.
Gaze into my eyes and listen to my soothing
I am hypno cat and it is my mission to persuade you
And the nation to recycle your electricals
You are now experiencing the sudden uncontrollable desire
To hear the answer to your question:
How are electricals and electronics recycled?
I will start with this impressive factoid:
Over 75 percent of all materials in your unwanted electricals
Can be recycled into anything, from children's playgrounds to life-saving equipment
We can save lives and save the planet
Let's see how it all happens, shall we?
This is the facility where electricals arrive after they are collected from far and wide
Meet Patricia: she checks through this pile for any dangerous objects
Like fridges and toy poodles
After her go-ahead, the safe electricals move along the conveyor belts
And are broken apart by heavy metal chains
Find people here like Scott: good afternoon Scott!
Saw through the broken-up pieces with their human paws
Taking out the special stuff like
Batteries circuit boards and cables
Circuit boards: a delicious array of precious metals
Which are separated through the process of pyrolysis - hum, pyrolysis
The remaining pieces are shredded into kitty litter size granules
Which are then separated into individual materials
By vibrating trays, infrared sensors and magnets: exquisite
Once separated, the materials can be taken and turned into something new
Like children's playgrounds, life-saving equipment or a solid gold food bowl
Oh, a solid gold food bowl
There are numerous ways you - yes you - can recycle your old electricals
You can drop them off at your nearest recycling centre
Or take them to your local electrical store or wherever you purchase them from
Some of your lucky humans can have them collected right outside your home
But the easiest way to find your nearest recycling point
Is to simply search recycle your electricals
However you do, it is up to you - complete free will
So now that you love recycling electricals more than your children and life itself
Follow me fellow electrical recyclers
Spread my power far and wide
Never send your electricals to landfill
If you do, their precious materials will be lost in a smelly grave
Always remember to recycle your electricals
Recycle your electricals
Recycle your electricals
Meow